R Sridhar appointed as Afghanistan assistant coach, ACB targets long-term deal

Former India first-class cricketer and the ex-fielding coach of the India National Cricket Team, R Sridhar, has been appointed as the new assistant coach of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team on an interim basis.

R Sridhar represented Hyderabad Cricket Team from 1989/90 to 2000/01, before taking up cricket coaching in 2001. Overall, he played 35 first-class matches in which he scored 574 runs and picked up 91 wickets. He also featured in 15 List-A matches where he scored 69 runs and bagged 14 wickets.

R Sridhar completed a level-three course for accreditation as a certified coach in 2007 to take his level as a coach to new heights. He served as the coach of Hyderabad's U-19 and U-16 teams before joining the National Cricket Academy in 2011.

He then served as India U-19 team's fielding coach in 2011 and assistant coach in 2014. R Sridhar also plied trade in IPL as he was the fielding coach of Punjab Kings before being appointed as head coach of Andhra for two years.

R Sridhar received a big break in 2017 when he was appointed as the permanent fielding coach of the India National Cricket Team. He even received a contract extension for his good work and was India's fielding coach in more than 300 international matches including two ICC ODI and two T20 world cups.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board wish R Sridhar fills the role effectively and hope to have long term contract with him - ACB

In an official statement released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board on August 21, it was announced that R Sridhar will join the Afghan Team as an assistant coach on an interim basis.

The ACB also mentioned that he will be with the Afghanistan National Cricket Team in the one-off Test match against New Zealand and the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

"It is worth mentioning that the Afghanistan Cricket Board has appointed Sridhar as the assistant coach for the one-off Test against New Zealand and the 3-match ODI series against South Africa. The Afghanistan Cricket Board wish Sridhar fills the role effectively and hope to have long term contract with him in the future," Afghanistan Cricket Board said in an official media release.

"Sridhar is Level-3 certified coach who has served Indian U19 national team as Assistant Coach and Spin Bowling Coach too. From 2008 to 2014, Sridhar served India’s National Cricket Academy as an assistant fielding and spin bowling coach," ACB said. "He has been India’s national team Fielding Coach in more than 300 international matches including two ICC ODI and two T20I world cups," ACB further added.

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand is set to be hosted by Greater Noida from September 9. After that, they will travel to Sharjah for the three ODIs against South Africa on September 18, 20 and 22.